Nov. 28, 2009 (United Press International) -- A mini-van carrying 15 people sideswiped a truck and flipped over on a Louisiana highway Saturday, killing five people and critically injuring 10, police said.

State police said four of the five dead were thought to be children, WAFB-TV, Baton Rouge, reported.

The mini-van apparently blew a tire before sideswiping the box truck on westbound Interstate 10 near Baton Rouge about 1:30 p.m., police said.

The mini-van landed in the eastbound lanes, and 11 of its occupants were thrown from the vehicle, police said.

State police said two adults were sitting in the front seats and 13 children in the back seats. The mini-van's driver was wearing a seat belt but none of the children were, police said.

The driver of the box truck was not injured.

The accident shut down Interstate 10 in both directions until the wreckage could be cleared.